The name of the current search method would be indicated in smaller letters below the word "Search." Switching between search input methods could be done with:

default input selection on Search Options;

a thin vertical bar running up the left side of the screen, with selections for "Keyboard" (default), "Numeric" (like a cell phone), and "Scroll" (like Zune Marketplace Search); or

a toggle between input methods using a button on the remote, such as Aspect or Thumbs+/Thumbs-.

Index sports teams in search and create a main page for every major sports team, just as you do for actors and series.

When you search on Lakers, you could select the "Los Angeles Lakers" team page. This would include an Upcoming menu with a list of all upcoming games for that team. The user could also create a wishlist to record all new games.

For college teams, you could add Upcoming plus a separate menu to list all upcoming games for other teams in the same conference. You could call this "Related Events," "Conference Games" or "Division Games," or something more specific like "Upcoming Big12" or "Upcoming Big10."

Index all episode titles, so when you input the name of a specific episode, you get the name of the show with the episode name in parenthesis. By default, partial matches would be prioritized last. For example, searching on "Return to Sender" would return "Dexter (Return to Sender)" in search results. If necessary to avoid clutter, you could display episode title matches only when more than X characters are entered.

This function would be extremely useful for searching many types of documentary-type shows, which have a generic, non-descriptive title. On these programs, the episode title often serves as the descriptive title. A user may remember all or part of the episode title, but not the program title.

When setting up a WishList from a search, provide the option to specify HD only.

If possible in a future version of the TiVo software, add additional wishlist categories like "Prefer HD" (to record the HD version of a program if both SD and HD versions exist, but still record SD version if no HD version exists) and "SD only" or "Ignore HD."

On movies, add a "Credits" menu below the "Cast" menu. The "Credits" menu would show the director, producers, and writers.

Allow users to search on actors when the filter is set to display only free / recordable programs.

On the initial search screen -- before the user actually performs a new search -- reserve the first two spaces on the top-bar for "TiVo Daily Picks - <Date>" and "Most Popular on TiVo <Week of X/XX - X/XX >." Clicking select on "TiVo Daily Picks" would show the daily picks for the day. Selecting "Most Popular" would display the 25 most-recorded shows. This is the same information on TiVo.com -> Find TV Shows.

In Search Options, the user would be given the option to hide Daily Picks and Most Popular.

Make it easy to find season premieres

Dedicate one of the first squares on the top-bar to a "Season Premieres on TiVo" graphic. Selecting this would show a list of all pilots and season premieres upcoming in the next two weeks. Only show this graphic if there are upcoming season premieres that the user can actually receive (i.e. they get the channel). In Search Options, the user would be given the option to hide the "Season Premieres" square, just as they could hide Daily Picks and Most Popular.

Dedicate 1-2 squares in the shows that have their pilot or season premiere in the next two weeks. Only prioritize season premieres that the user can actually receive (i.e. they get the channel).

Differentiate season premieres in the top banner in some way, such as NEW SERIES or NEW SEASON text overlayed on the series image.

Allow the user to search on "season premiere" -- search results would list all series with a first-run pilot or season premiere showing in the next 14 days

Add "Save these Options" to Search Options allowing the user to keep their filters and sorting options whenever they exit the program.

Provide the "Youtube Search" option for actors

When a specific episode selected through Episode Guide is not showing in the next 14 days, give the option to create a wishlist for that episode.

Search recorded lists across multiple TiVos to support "Watch Now (MRV)" for shows stored on another box in the home.

Much like remote scheduling, add a selection for "Use this TiVo: " to the Season Pass Options and Record Options screens. If the user only has one TiVo in their home, this option would be grayed out and indicate the current DVR. If the user has more than one TiVo, then the user would be able to choose the DVR where they want to record the program.

Furthermore, if there is a conflict with a new recording on the selected TiVo, then you might give the user the option to schedule the recording on a different DVR.

On movies, show ratings from RottenTomatoes.com; this would take the form of the RT logo followed by either a &#37; or a 1-10/10 rating.

Allow users to vote thumbs up / down to the suggestions at the top of the screen; shows given a thumbs down would not be suggested again in the banner bar.

In Search Options, include the setting to "Exclude programs rated with with Thumbs-down" from search results. That way, results for the user could become more tailored over time as they rate programs.

On the program screen, add a separate menu for movie reviews / awards (if and only if such information is available)

When a program is part of a guru guide, consider adding a link or a menu for "Guru Guide." This could take the form as a "Guru Guide" link under the "If you like this..." menu.

Add support for Yahoo widgets (sports scores, weather, etc) in banner bar at the top of the screen.

When you select YouTube on the Bonus Features menu, display the YouTube results inline in TiVO Search. Stop requiring users to exit to a completely separate app. There should only be one application with one interface.

Hulu

Offer a new TiVo remote with a slide-out keyboard, like this one from Vizio. Alternatively, support standard / wireless USB keyboards.

Integrate videos from PC shared folders in search.

Aesthetic Changes

Increase menu and menu selection width, as seen in the press shots.

Add the vertical divider between the second and third frames, as seen in the press shots.

Center "Press ENTER to filter results" on the center pane, as seen in the press shots.

Reduce the size of the thumbs up/down graphics and display them to the right of the program name, rather than the left.

Since TV is the only current source of HD content, consider merging the TV and HD icons so you have one version of the TV icon for SD and another version of the TV icon when a program is available in HD. In the future, you would also have separate icons for Amazon Unbox and Amazon Unbox HD, Netflix and Netflix HD, etc. This merged TV+HD icon would be used on Search results; the HD icon would still be used under Upcoming, etc.

Eliminate excess space on the Episode Guide between the "Jump to Season" selection and the first episode.

On the page for a specific episode, change record text from "Record next episode" to "Record this episode."

In the Episode Guide, consider moving the season and episode numbers to the first line so twice as many entries can fit on the screen. This would allow six or seven episodes per page.

Other Changes

Improve performance: eliminate lag during text input.

If it is not possible to eliminate lag with with the current implementation (refining results after each input), then wait until the user pauses their "typing" to display results.

1. They definitely need to improve text input. Waiting on cursor move responses while inputing text is absolutely going to kill TiVo's entire approach to this if they can't solve it. Even if the current system doesn't change it must, at an absolute minimum, be faster and more responsive. Wireless or slow ISP connections aren't an excuse for this. If it doesn't work for the average customer it doesn't work period.

2. They currently give the "Youtube Search" option for program entries but it should be added for actors.

3. As mentioned repeatedly, NetFlix needs to be in there. TiVoPony pointed out that it would be difficult or impossible with the current NetFlix API so everyone with that suggestion needs to start feeding that back to NetFlix as well.

4. When stepping through the suggestions at the top of the screen you should be able to give a thumbs up or down to the program and that should affect whether the show still appears up there.

5. When setting up a WishList from a search it would be nice to have an option to specify HD only.

6. Added features in the program screen could include things like movie reviews, awards, presence in guru guides, etc.

Make it a Tivo native application, not HME based (though I know that will likely never happen). Cut back on all the graphics that slow things down too much. Seems to me the application strives more to try and "look cool" than to focus on actually helping find things. The top graphics bar for example is way too big and mostly not useful to me.
Of course I have to agree Netflix integration is a must to supplement YouTube & Amazon which I don't use.

My number 1 request:GIVE US A WAY TO EASILY FIND SEASON & SERIES PREMIERES which has been a long-requested feature which never seems to make it's way into these various search mechanisms.

I'm also disappointed that search still doesn't behave as I would hope/expect. Simple example, enter the following as keyword:
lakers
I would expect all upcoming NBA basketball games featuring lakers to show up as matches but they don't. Just like with the normal Tivo search you have to enter the proper show title (NBA basketball) for it to show up and then plow through all results to find lakers games. I would have hoped this search engine would be smarter and look beyond just show titles, but perhaps that's too much data to expect quick searches on...

I thought I should mention again what I wanted earlier but seem this thread is better place to request the features so I would like to add wishlist ability in the Episodes and Episode Guide so I could record what I (we) missed due to possible problem such not recording or because CC has disappeared or channels has disappears whatever reasons it might be so I would like to be able to create wishlist automatically directly from clicking on that specific episodes and have ability to record that episode and only that episode if we wanted to.

On TiVo website you can choose which DVR to setup the recording on.
Add that feature into this TiVo Search and I can search for shows I want to record and then decide which TiVo to record them on along with instant feedback on conflicts so I could decide to record on a different DVR in the house if needed.

On TiVo website you can choose which DVR to setup the recording on.
Add that feature into this TiVo Search and I can search for shows I want to record and then decide which TiVo to record them on along with instant feedback on conflicts so I could decide to record on a different DVR in the house if needed.

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EXCELLENT SUGGESTION ! Especially in this case where HME is using information on Tivo servers anyway it should have full access to all your Tivos information (since you have to opt in anyway to use this application).

#2 in the OP is the only one I really feel strongly about. With as much text input as the TiVo interface needs for some apps right now, it needs to be taken care of.

Would also be great to find a way to do a TiVo Search like interface for the Music & Photo apps.

Another improvement would be if it would find shows on other TiVos in the network and give the option to play those using MRV, like TiVo Search does now for the Now playing list on the TiVo that search is being used on.

I was just thinking about this one and went to add it to the thread. It would be good to have search show which Tivo a show is already being recorded on and have a setting to get a season pass from that Tivo. Sometimes 2 tuners just aren't enough.

On TiVo website you can choose which DVR to setup the recording on.
Add that feature into this TiVo Search and I can search for shows I want to record and then decide which TiVo to record them on along with instant feedback on conflicts so I could decide to record on a different DVR in the house if needed.

I thought I should mention again what I wanted earlier but seem this thread is better place to request the features so I would like to add wishlist ability in the Episodes and Episode Guide so I could record what I (we) missed due to possible problem such not recording or because CC has disappeared or channels has disappears whatever reasons it might be so I would like to be able to create wishlist automatically directly from clicking on that specific episodes and have ability to record that episode and only that episode if we wanted to.

Click to expand...

I want to 2nd this. We miss a few programs each year due to various issues. I create a wishlist whenever we do. While playing with this feature last night, I discovered such a wishlist I had set up had the wrong title information (speeling error ). I wondered why I'd that episode had never come up again. LOL

Having this create at least the title information for a wishlist would help a lot since we don't have a real keyboard to work with.

I have to agree about the speed. It is making me wonder what software will be left on my TiVo - everything is running over the network now. Which means if my network connection is done I lose more and more functionality. I would like to see more features added running right on my TiVo for increased speed and reliability. Going into the Music, Photos, and More area already takes 10-15 seconds for the menu to become usable. New features are nice - but only if you can actually use them without waiting. I'll take a faster older interface before a newer slower one.

I have to agree about the speed. It is making me wonder what software will be left on my TiVo - everything is running over the network now. Which means if my network connection is done I lose more and more functionality. I would like to see more features added running right on my TiVo for increased speed and reliability. Going into the Music, Photos, and More area already takes 10-15 seconds for the menu to become usable. New features are nice - but only if you can actually use them without waiting. I'll take a faster older interface before a newer slower one.

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The beta version of HDUI Search is run completely from TiVo's servers. This allows TiVo to make the application available to everyone without the need to install beta software on the customer's box. It also allows TiVo to update and improve the application daily based on feedback. It allows TiVo to experiment with "under the hood" changes to improve performance. The final version of TiVo search may or may not run from customer's own box -- TiVo hasn't said. Clearly, in the final application, most customers will not tolerate the launch delays and intermittent pauses that occur during input and navigation.